Honor those who died for our country at Memorial Day events around the county

Star file photo
Jerry Watkins of the 173rd Airborne Division gives a salute at last year’s Memorial Day event at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home in Camarillo. This year’s ceremony will be held Monday.

They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.

— Robert G. Ingersoll

Embrace the memory of the men and women who died for our country during Memorial Day services on Monday around the county:

Camarillo

“Lest We Forget” is the theme of an 11 a.m. ceremony at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, 2052 Howard Road. The 44th annual event will include music by the St. Genevieve Choral Ensemble and the Gold Coast Pipe Band, a flag raising by the U.S. Navy and American Legion Post 741, a memorial wreath tribute, and a speech by Abraham Lincoln presenter and impersonator J.P. Wammack. 482-1959; http://www.conejomountain.com.

Fillmore

Retired U.S. Army Col. George Compton, Ventura County veterans service officer and a Star columnist, will speak during an 11 a.m. event at Bardsdale Cemetery, 1698 S. Sespe St. The ceremony will include a presentation of colors, wreath placement, music, service led by the Rev. Bob Hammond of Dayspring Anglican Church, remarks by Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long and the playing of taps.

Moorpark

American Legion Post 502 will present a raising of the colors ceremony at 8 a.m. at the old Moorpark Veterans Memorial, at Los Angeles and Moorpark avenues. An observance will follow at 10 a.m. at the new memorial, which was dedicated May 16, at Spring Road and Flinn Avenue. 523-3355; http://moorparkpost502.org.

Oak View

“Forever in Our Hearts” is the theme of the community’s fourth annual celebration. It will begin with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at American Legion Post 686, 475 Old Ventura Ave. After a flyover at 9:40 a.m., the Oak View Memorial Day Parade, featuring floats, horses, marchers and vehicles, will begin at 9:45 a.m. at New Hope Christian Center, 590 Old Ventura Ave., and finish at Old Ventura and Oak View avenues in front of Longhorn Supply, where a service and awards presentation will be held. New Hope will then host a free concert and barbecue. 640-0727; http://www.oakviewca.org.

Ojai

The Ojai Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11461 will sponsor a patriotic program from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Libbey Park downtown, including music, the rededication of a memorial plaque, a Wall of Remembrance poster display and other memorabilia, and a historical re-enactment led by ministers and a rabbi. Vietnam veteran Chuck Bennett will be the master of ceremonies. 302-6093.

Oxnard

A service and luncheon will begin at 10 a.m. at American Legion Post 48, 2639 Wagon Wheel Road. 485-1600.

Hundreds of American flags will be on display from sunrise to sunset in the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, F and G streets between Fifth Street and Magnolia Avenue. 487-9299.

Piru

A service featuring music by Carolyn Cook, an honor guard and a speech by Dick Diaz will be held at 9 a.m. at Piru Cemetery, 3580 Center St. 521-1752.

Santa Paula

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2043 will hold a 10:30 a.m. service at Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road, featuring music by Isbell Middle School students, an invocation, a rifle salute, a wreath placement and a talk by Jannette Jauregui, who writes The Star’s “Of War and Life” column. 525-3737.

Simi Valley

A ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Pioneer Cemetery, 1461 Thompson Lane, led by Simi Valley Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 and others. The keynote speaker will be Assemblyman Cameron Smyth. The Elks will host a barbecue at 1 p.m. at the lodge, 1561 Kuehner Drive, featuring tri-tip, chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs, plus horseshoes, a dunk tank and dancing. 522-2492.

Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Recreation & Park District will kick off its 2009 Concerts in the Park Series with a free Memorial Day concert by vocal jazz-pop quartet Beachfront Property at 5 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave. Picnics are welcome; pets should stay home. 381-1247.

Ventura

Retired Navy Capt. Brad Conners, former commanding officer of Naval Base Ventura County, will give the keynote address during a ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road. Other activities will include a flyover by the 805th Navion Squadron, bagpipe music, color guards, a wreath tribute and a dove release. More than 1,000 American casket flags will be on display through May 30. 642-1055; http://www.ivylawn.org.

Westlake Village

The 19th annual ceremony at 11 a.m. at Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Memorial Park will feature patriotic choral and band music, flyovers by aircraft from March Air Force Base and the Condor Squadron, a color guard, prayers, a wreath ceremony and the playing of taps. 5600 Lindero Canyon Road. 818-889-0902.